Auger For Boring and Weeding

ABSTRACT

An auger to assist in ground burrowing or mixing paint or concrete, is used by attaching it to an electric or cordless power source. The major advantages over previous augers are: a hex head design prevents slipping in the drill chuck, an offset boring tip provides better digging, and a removable extension allows for the digging holes from a sitting or standing position possible without straining. The cutting edge of the auger&#39;s discs is sharpened and provided with a serrated edge for easier digging in hard soil. A single spring pin lock connects a first shaft to the extension shaft and multiple holes in the extension shaft allow for a multitude of auger heights.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No.11/229,895, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/251,731, filed Sep. 21, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,955,227, the entire contents of both applications are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of augers. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an auger for use inboring and weeding. Specifically, one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention relates to an auger having an extension for useprimarily around the home, lawn, or garden.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Historically, it was known in the prior art to use an auger device tomake holes or to mix various liquids and solids.

As is known to those skilled in the art, such auger attachments can beaffixed to common hand tools with power sources such as an electricdrill or weed eater device. However, a previously recognized problem hasbeen that such augers are specifically usually manufactured for use withone device or the other. Needless to say, it is desirable to have anauger that can be used in the sitting or kneeling position and in astanding position with various power sources.

Therefore, what is needed is an auger that can be used with a variety ofhousehold power tools and has an adjustable length. Such an auger isalso preferably lightweight, yet is sufficiently strong enough to boreinto harder soils. Heretofore these requirements have not been fully metwithout incurring various disadvantages.

Previously recognized solutions also have the disadvantage of relativelyhigh cost. As such, a preferred solution will be seen by the end-user asbeing cost effective.

The below-referenced U.S. patents disclose embodiments that were atleast in-part satisfactory for the purposes for which they wereintended. The disclosures of all the below-referenced prior UnitedStates patents in their entireties are hereby expressly incorporated byreference into the present application for purposes including, but notlimited to, indicating the background of the present invention andillustrating the state of the art.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,269 discloses an auger with replaceable tipsdesigned to cut openings through sheet plastic or fiberglass in acontinuous operation making an appropriate diameter hole for plantingseedlings or seeds as may be desired. The invention is comprised of ashaft with a spiral auger and a cutting tip with a cylindrical cuttingedge and a recessed drilling portion as an assembly which is removablyattached to the shafts with flights in it. The device can be driven by aconventional electric drill with a one-half inch chuck.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,787 discloses an auger planting tool for boringholes to conveniently implant plants into the soil. The auger plantingtool can be attached to a drill or a weed trimming device. By triggeringthe rotating drive device, the auger tool is driven to the intendeddepth made for the soil. A detent ring controls the penetration of theauger tool into the soil. An auger spiral flange simultaneously providesa cutting and a screwing action attributable to the spiral configurationthereof. The auger spiral flange is fixedly attached to a shaft andincludes a plurality of cutting blades and a plurality of contiguousspiral surfaces.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

By way of summary, the present invention is directed to an auger whichis both lightweight and durable. One object of the invention is toprovide an apparatus that can be used in a standing or sitting positionand can be used with a variety of power tools. Another object of theinvention is to provide an apparatus that has one or more of thecharacteristics discussed above but which is relatively simple tomanufacture and assemble using a minimum of equipment and is relativelyinexpensive.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, these objects areachieved by providing an apparatus comprising a shaft having a first endand a second end. The first end of the shaft contains a hexagonal shapeportion and the second end includes a pointed tip which is offset fromcenter and has one flat side at a preferred angle. A disc is attached adistance from the second end. In another embodiment, a second orextension shaft is provided which is longer than the first. The secondshaft has a first end and a second end. Located at the first end is ahexagonal shaped portion. At the second end there is a first shaftreceiving portion with the bore therethrough. The first shaft isattached to the second shaft by a shaft locking device or pin. Having afirst shaft and a second shaft allows versatility of use with differenttypes of power tools. Moreover, it also allows the user to use the augerin both a kneeling or sitting position and a standing position. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a method that has one or more ofthe characteristics discussed above but which is relatively simple toset up and operate.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, these objects areachieved by providing an inventive method. First, preferably an auger isinserted into an electric drill having opened chuck jaws. Next, ahexagonal head of the auger is inserted into the chuck jaws of thedrill. The chuck jaws are then tightened around the auger's hexagonalhead. A pointed, sharpened end of the auger is then inserted into thesoil. And, finally, power is applied to the drill to burrow a hole intothe soil or to mix a liquid or a particular solid.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the disc isprovided with a serrated portion. In one embodiment, the serratedportion is a serrated edge made by a plurality of spikes lining theoutside edge of the disc. Each spike is formed from at least one angledsurface, which is a surface that extends from the outside edge of thedisc at an angle not tangential to the circumference of the disc at theproximal end of the spike. The angled surface is not meant to includeonly surfaces of a single angle. The angled surface may be a planarsingle-angle surface, a planar multiple-angle surface, or curved surfacehaving an arcuate shape.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the secondshaft has a plurality of holes near the second end. This allows the userto adjust the height of the tool more acutely when the first and secondshafts are connected.

These, and other, aspects and objects of the present invention will bebetter appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction withthe following description and the accompanying drawings. It should beunderstood, however, that the following description, while indicatingpreferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way ofillustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications maybe made within the scope of the present invention without departing fromthe spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting thepresent invention, and of the construction and operation of typicalmechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readilyapparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting,embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a partof this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate thesame elements in the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective of one preferred embodiment of the device ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the auger of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the hexagonal shaped portion at the firstend of the first shaft shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the hexagonal shaped portion of thefirst end shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second shaft of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of specific portions of the invention shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the auger of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the auger attached to analternative power source with portions of the chuck cut away for bettervisibility;

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of an auger of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the second shaft;

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of an auger of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the auger of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the auger attached to analternative power source with portions of the chuck cut away for bettervisibility;

FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of an auger of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 shows an alternative embodiment of the second shaft; and

FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of an auger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 shows an alternative embodiment of an auger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of an auger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 shows an alternative embodiment of an auger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 shows an alternative embodiment of an auger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 shows still another embodiment of the present invention.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention and the bestmode currently contemplated which is illustrated in the drawings,specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to thespecific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specificterm includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similarmanner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word“connected” or terms similar thereto are often used. They are notlimited to direct connection but include connection through otherelements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent bythose skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention and the various features and advantageous detailsthereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limitingembodiments described in detail in the following description.

1. System Overview

In its most basic form, the invention is an attachment to a device thatprovides power, such as a hand-held drill or a weed trimmer. The augerportion contains 1 to 4 discs which are rotated. They are connected to ashaft with a hex head which prevents it from slipping when power isapplied. The attachment can be extended to about 26 inches long so theuser can stand up while using it, and does not have to stoop over. A pinmechanism holds the first shaft to a second or extension shaft. Thedevice is preferably zinc-coated steel so it is somewhat rust free.However, it may also be made of stainless steel. The power source can bea typical 12 volt or better electric drill, either portable,battery-operated type, or electrical or can be an electric orgas-powered weed trimmer.

2. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

FIG. 1 shows a device 5 of the present invention which can be used forgardening, weeding, or the mixing of various liquids and particulatesolids such as dirt, cement, and paint. The device 5 has an auger 10including a first shaft 15. Preferably, the first shaft 15 isapproximately 15 inches long, or less, and has a first end 20 and asecond end 25. The auger 10 also has at least one disc 27 which ispreferably spiraled as shown to permit a better digging and mixingcapacity. The disc 27 is preferably located toward the second end 25approximately 2 or 3 inches from a tip 28. With the extension attached,it can also be used, for example, to dig a fencepost hole. A three-inchdiameter disc is for cultivating soil and weeding, and a four-inch discis for planting and post hole digging. Other disc sizes will bediscussed below.

As shown in one preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the tip 28 has anoffset shaved flat side 29 which is angled approximately 15-20 degreesfrom center. More preferably, in another embodiment the tip has anoffset shaved flat side which is angled 20 degrees from the center. Inother embodiments, the tip may be triangle or diamond shaped, orscrew-like to enhance boring. The tip 28 is approximately 1 inch long.

At the other or first end 20 of the first shaft 15, is a hexagonalshaped portion 50. In the preferred embodiment shown at FIG. 1, thefirst shaft 15 is connected to a second shaft 30. The second shaft 65 isin turn connected to a power source 35. The power source 35 ispreferably an electric drill which has a battery pack 38 and ⅜″ or ½″chuck jaws 40. In one preferred embodiment, a stabilizer handle 42 isalso present. The power source 35 may have a forward and reverse control45 as well as an on/off control 48.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the disc 27 has a leading edge 90 and atrailing edge 95 and is flexed in a spiral configuration to form theangle β. The angle β is preferably approximately 35 degrees. In analternative embodiment, this angle is preferably approximately between50 and 60 degrees. The outermost portion of the edges 90 and 95 arepreferably sharper for enhanced digging capabilities. The disc 27 ispreferably welded to the shaft 15.

In the top down angled view shown in FIG. 2, the spiral disc portionforms angle α. Preferably, α is less 5 degrees. More preferably, α isapproximately 0.5 degrees. The disc 27 may be 2 inches, 3 inches, or 4inches in diameter, depending on the use for the auger. The disc 27 ispreferably welded to the shaft 15.

In one embodiment, the disc 27 is approximately 1¼ to 1¾ inches indiameter. This smaller diameter disc 27 is particularly advantageouswhen a user wishes to remove weeds from the soil. When this embodimentis placed in the soil it will grab the entire weed, including the rootsand remove it without the user ever having to touch the weed itself.Furthermore, the relatively small diameter of the disc 27 will leave asmaller portion of the soil disturbed by the weed removal as opposed toany larger disc. A disc diameter less than 1¼ inch is best for punchingholes in the soil to plant seeds.

The second shaft 30 is preferably approximately 22-26 inches long and,as mentioned previously, has a first end 55 and a second end 65. At thefirst end 55 of the second shaft, is a hexagonal portion 60. Thehexagonal portion 60 of the second shaft 30 is approximately 1.5 incheslong as is the hexagonal portion 50 of the first shaft 15.

The second end 65 of the second shaft 30 includes a receiving portion70. The receiving portion 70 has a bore 78 (best shown in FIG. 6).Preferably, the length of the receiving portion 70 is 2.75 inches andthe depth of the bore 78 is approximately 2 inches while the diameter ofthe bore is approximately 0.5 inches. The receiving portion 70 receivesthe portion 50 of the first shaft 15. In one alternative embodiment, thebore is hex shaped for receiving the hex shaped portion. In anotherembodiment, the shaft has a threaded portion in place of the hex portionand the bore has threads for receiving the threaded portion which isscrewed therein.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hex portions 50, 60 have preferablydiameters of less than 0.5 inches. A hole 75 is preferably located onthe first shaft 15 approximately 2 inches from its outermost end.

FIG. 4 shows a top down view best illustrating the outermost end of thehexagonal shaped portion 50 or 60 which are located at the first ends20, 55 of the rounded shafts 15, 30.

FIG. 5 shows second shaft 30 which acts as an extension bar for thedevice 5 (not shown) adding additional length to the auger tool 10 (notshown) to allow for use of the device 5 while standing instead ofstooping or bending. This extension shaft is particularly useful forolder people and those with back or limb problems.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up view of how the first shaft 15 is connected tothe second shaft 30. In FIG. 6, the tip 28 is shown at the second end 25of the first shaft 15 as is the shaved flat side 29 of the tip. Againthe flat side is offset from center and is shaved at an angle θ. Angle θis preferably approximately 20 degrees.

In FIG. 6, the first end 20 of the first shaft 15 is shown engaged inthe receiving portion 70 at the second end 65 of the second shaft 30 asshown. The hexagonal portion 50 of the first end 20 of the first shaft15 fits into the bore 78 at the shaft-receiving portion 70. The firstshaft 15 has hole 75 which is aligned with hole 80 in the second shaft30. The shafts preferably are connected by a shaft-locking device. Inone embodiment, the locking device is a pin is inserted through thealigned holes 75 and 80. The pin is preferably a U-shaped pin 82 thathas a finger loop 85 and a bend 89. The finger loop 85 is configured toreceive a finger 87 of a user for quick detachment of the pin and thusthe first shaft 15 from the second shaft 30. The bend 89 is configuredto fit snugly around the receiving portion 70 of the second shaft 30 tohold the pin 82 in place during use. The diameter of the bend 89 ispreferably slightly larger than the diameter of the portion 70. TheU-shaped pin 82 is preferably steel or stainless steel and is formedfrom a thicker and stronger gauge of wire. These materials and thisthickness help to prevent the pin 82 from easily shearing duringoperation.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 5. This embodimentis much smaller in dimension than the one previously described. However,it has many of the same features. The reason why this embodiment issmaller is because it is configured to fit on the end of a powered weedtrimming tool. The features that remain the same are the device 205including an auger 210 having a first end 220 and a second end 225. Thefirst end has a hex portion 250. There is also a shaft 215. One slightmodification in this embodiment is that at the second end 225 a tip 228has a shallow cavity 235 instead of a shaved flat portion. This shallowcavity and the outside edges of the shaft help form a cutting surface orportion 229 which can better bore into hard soil. What is also differentabout this embodiment is that there are two discs 227 and 226. Each ofthese discs 226, 227 contains a leading edge and a trailing edge, 290and 291 and 294 and 295, respectively. The cavity on the tip 225 can bemade with a boring tool.

As shown in FIG. 8, this embodiment can fit in a threaded chuck 105 ofthe weed trimmer 100, which is also designated 135 as an alterativepower source. The threaded chuck is attached to a threaded shaft 109which is connected to the weed trimming alternative power source 135. Onone end of the threaded chuck is a hexagonal-shaped hole 108. Pin 110 isinserted through a bore 111 in the threaded chuck 105 then through thehole in the auger 210 and out the other side of the chuck 105 to connectthe shaft 215 to the power source 135. The pin 110 may be held in placeby a cotter key 115.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the auger 300. This embodimentis extremely similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, however thisembodiment preferably has a cutting portion 305 on the disc 310. Thecutting portion 305 may be a serrated portion along the edge of the disc310, specifically a serrated edge. This cutting portion 305 ispreferably formed from a plurality of spikes 315 placed along theoutside edge of the disc 310. Each spike is identical and therefore itis only necessary to describe one spike 320 in order to understand allof the spikes forming the serrated edge. The spike 320 has a proximalend connected to the disc and distal end forming a tip 325. In thepresent embodiment, the tip 325 points radially outward, but inalternative embodiments may also be angled downward from the plane ofthe disc. Two angled surfaces 330, 335 preferably form the spike 320 aseach extends from the disc 310 at the proximal end of the spike 320 andterminate at their intersection, which is the tip 325. These angledsurfaces 330, 325 are depicted as planar, but may also contain multipleangles or be curved. Furthermore, a spike need only be formed by atleast one angular surface. Finally, in another alternative embodiment,the spikes may be angled upward or down ward from the plane and eachsuccessive spike may also alternate in its angle.

An alternative embodiment of the second shaft 340 is shown in FIG. 10.The second shaft 340 (not drawn to scale) shown is nearly identical tothe second shaft of FIG. 5, but this second shaft 340 has a longerreceiving portion 345 in the second end 350 and four equally spacedholes 355, 360, 365, 370 in the receiving portion. The spacing betweenthe holes 355, 360, 365, 370 is preferably approximately 2 inches. Thereceiving portion 345 may have lesser or more holes, e.g. two or sixholes total. The receiving portion has a bore 375. The overall length ofthe shaft is still preferably 26 inches. The length of the receivingportion 345 is preferably 10 inches and the depth of the bore 375 isapproximately 9.25 inches while the diameter of the bore 375 isapproximately 0.5 inches. A first end 20 of a first shaft 15 may beinserted into the receiving portion 345 of the second shaft 340. Thefirst hole 355 is preferably placed approximately 2 inches from theterminal end 380 of the second end 350.

The user may then select a desired overall height by aligning the hole75 of the first shaft 15 with one of the four holes 355, 360, 365, 375in the receiving portion 345 and then inserting a U-shaped pin 82 tosecurely connect the two shafts. For example, this adjustable shaft 340allows the same tool to be used by people of different heights or by aperson in a wheel chair and a position using a walker (i.e., someone ina seated position and someone in a stooping or standing position).

An alternative embodiment of a cutting portion 390 of a disc 395 canbest be seen in FIG. 11. In this embodiment a plurality of spikes 400are angled downward on a disc 395. These spikes 400 allow for a moredirect engagement with the soil or material to be mixed. These spikes400 generally extend out of the bottom surface of the disc 395 and areformed from a plurality of curved surfaces 405. These surfaces may comein a plethora of forms including single angle linear forms, multipleangle linear forms, or the curved surfaces shown. Furthermore, ridges410 are added to the distal end of the spikes 400 to provide additionalcutting surfaces for the disc. Although a disc with a leading edge andtrailing edge is not shown, this disc in one embodiment may be formedwith such edges.

FIGS. 12 through 14 each shows a device 5 having an auger 10. Eachdevice 5 has a different type of tip 28. For example, FIG. 12 shows anauger having a screw type tip 428. FIG. 13 shows a device 10 having afrusto-conical shaped tip 528 with the hole 530 therethrough. Onefunction of the hole is to prevent dirt and other matter from reducingthe effectiveness of the frusto-conical shape. FIG. 14 shows a tip 628having a traditional arrow shape, that is, a triangular shape having athin outer edge and with a thicker inner portion. All of these tipsprovide for improved digging into the soil or into plant or vegetativematter.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a modification to the auger 10 design of device 5.In these embodiments, a member 177, 277 preferably having a quarteredcircular shape is connected to disc 27 and shaft 30. The quarteredcircular shaped member 177, 277 is preferably perpendicular to shaft 15.This added member helps the auger 10 better pull weeds. For example, theweed material is captured by this quartered circular shape 177, 277 asthe auger removes the weed from the ground. Therefore, it is easier toremove the weed from the auger once the weed has been pulled from theground and it is ready to be discarded. Member 177 has a serrated edgewhile member 277 has holes 279 therein and an inner cavity portion 281.FIG. 17 shows a device 5 with at least one square-shaped disc 329. Adiamond-shaped tip 728 is also possible for this embodiment. FIG. 18shows a disc arrangement 427 having small vertical sidewalls 430 thatare similar to winglets on an aircraft. These winglets 430 reduce dragand increase the speed of the auger 10. Holes 431 can be added throughthe sides of the winglets 430 to increase soil aeration. Such wingletsmay also be added to auger embodiments having a single disc.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the auger 10. Here, the auger disc527 has a series of weldments 530 that form a serrated edge and shaft 15has a squared portion 550 instead of a hex portion at one end of theshaft.

FIG. 20 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 5 of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, auger 10 has a disc 27 and is connectedto an extension bar 30. The auger 10 is secured to the extension barwith pin 85. The extension bar 30 is then attached to a handle 610 whichmay be V-shaped. The handle 610 has a receiving end for receiving theextension bar and a Cotter pin 185, which secures the extension bar 30to the handle 610 in the same way that the extension bar secured to theauger. The handle 610 allows the user to provide rotational force to theauger. In one embodiment, the handle is used remove an auger that hasbeen trapped for example by roots. The handle preferably has foam handlegrips 620 to provide cushioning. In another possible embodiment, themanual power-providing handle is similar to that of an auger used formaking holes in ice for ice fishing. See, for example, US patent number.

FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of an auger 10. The auger 10 herepreferably has a first disc 710 attached to shaft 715. A second disc 720is larger than first disc 710. This auger is preferably used for weedpulling the disc 710, 720. Diameters may be 1¼ to 1¾ inches and 2 to 4inches, respectively. Note the discs here are not drawn to scale.

3. In Use and Operation

When the device 5 is in use, the auger 10 must first be attached to thepower source 35. To do this, the preferred embodiment auger 10 isinserted into an electric drill 35 by first ensuring the chuck jaws 40of the drill 35 are open to receive the auger 10. The hexagonal portionor head 50 of the auger 10 is placed into the chuck jaws 40 of the drill35. Preferably, the chuck jaws are tightened around the augers hexagonalhead 50. In one preferred embodiment, the pointed, sharpened end 29 ofthe auger 10 is inserted into soil for mixing or boring. Finally, poweris applied to the drill 35 through preferably an on/off control switchor trigger 48.

In devices 5 that have power sources with a forward and reverse switch45, the power source 35 control lever is first switched to a forwardposition. In devices 5 that have multiple speeds, the low speed control49 is selected. Next, the trigger or on/off control switch 48 is thendepressed by preferably a finger of the user to apply power to the auger10. The auger sharpened tip 27 which has been resting on the dirt iskept in preferably a perpendicular position while a downward pressure isapplied to the drill. This pressure and the forward drilling action ofthe spiral disc 27 of the auger tip 29 push the auger into the soil,thus drilling a hole.

In one preferred embodiment after the hole is drilled, the reverseposition is selected on the forward/reverse control 45. When the on/offcontrol 48 is depressed the auger 10 reverses its original downwarddrilling motion to raise the auger 10 back out of the soil along withloosened dirt.

In one preferred embodiment, an extension shaft 30 can be added to theauger shaft 15 in order to allow the user to use the auger 10 in anupright position. This is preferably done by inserting a hexagonal head50 of the auger shaft 15 into a receiving portion 70 of the second shaft30. Next holes 75, and 80 of the shafts 15, and 30 are aligned. Alocking pin 82 is inserted through the holes 75, and 80 to attach theshafts 15, and 30 together and thus provide an extension to the auger10. Preferably this is done while the drill 35 and the auger 10 are in ahorizontal position.

When the soil boring or mixing project is complete, the auger 10 ispreferably laid in a horizontal position and the chuck jaws 40 areloosened to release the auger's hexagonal head 50. The auger 10 is thenlifted from the power source 35. The open chuck jaws 40 thus release theauger 10 so that the user can remove it and store it for use on anotheroccasion.

In addition to weeding, mixing, and boring, there are virtuallyinnumerable uses for the present invention, all of which need not bedetailed here. Moreover, all the disclosed embodiments can be practicedwithout undue experimentation.

Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out thepresent invention is disclosed above, practice of the present inventionis not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions,modifications and rearrangements of the features of the presentinvention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of theunderlying inventive concept.

The individual components mentioned herein need not be fabricated fromthe disclosed materials, but could be fabricated from virtually anysuitable durable and strong materials.

Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosedshapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could beprovided in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually any suitableconfiguration. For example, the entire shaft may have a hex shape andthe disc itself can also have a hex or some other shape to enhance thedisc's ability to bore into the soil.

Further, although the discs described herein are physically separatemodules, it will be manifest that the discs may be integrated into theshaft.

Furthermore, all the disclosed features of each disclosed embodiment canbe combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed features of everyother disclosed embodiment except where such features are mutuallyexclusive.

It is intended that the appended claims cover all such additions,modifications and rearrangements. Expedient embodiments of the presentinvention are differentiated by the appended claims.

1. A device for attachment to a power source for making a holecomprising: a) a first shaft having a first end and a second end,wherein: 1) the first end includes a hexagonal-shaped portion; 2) apassage extends through the first shaft and is offset a distance fromthe first end; 3) the second end includes a pointed tip offset fromcenter and shaved flat on one side at an angle configured for boring ahole in the soil; b) a disc having a first surface; a second surfacespaced apart from the first surface; an opening extending between thefirst and second surfaces, the opening configured to receive the firstshaft and substantially coincident with the center of the disc; a slitextending radially from an edge of the disc to the opening defining aleading edge extending between the first surface and the second surfacealong a first side of the slit and a trailing edge extending between thefirst surface and the second surface along a second side of the slit;and a plurality of teeth extending radially from the periphery of thedisc, wherein: 1) at least a portion of the periphery of the opening inthe disc is attached to the shaft at a distance from the second end ofthe shaft; 2) the disc is bent such that the leading edge of the slit isdisplaced from the trailing edge of the slit and the leading edge ispositioned closer to the second end of the shaft than the trailing edge;3) each of the leading and trailing edges are sloped from the secondsurface of the disc toward the first surface of the disc; and 4) each ofthe teeth are defined by a pair of angled surfaces extending radiallyfrom the periphery of the disc, wherein the proximal end of the tooth isjoined to the periphery of the disc and the distal end of the tooth is atip defined by an intersection of the pair of angled surfaces; c) aremovable pin; and d) a second shaft, longer than the first shaft,having a first end and a second end, wherein: 1) the first end ishexagonal-shaped; 2) the second end has a terminal end and a first shaftreceiving portion with a bore therein; 3) the first shaft receivingportion has a plurality of paired holes positioned axially along thesecond shaft wherein each of the paired holes has a first hole on afirst wall of the bore and a second hole, aligned with the first hole,on a second, opposing wall of the bore; and 4) each of the paired holesare configured to selectively align with the passage extending throughthe first end of the first shaft to receive the easily removable pinallowing the second shaft to be secured to the first shaft at aplurality of positions.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the removablepin is a cotter pin with a looped portion.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the disc is sharpened along the periphery and angled at 35degrees.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second shaft is: a)configured to fit one of a three-eighths inch chuck and a half-inchchuck on a battery-powered power source; and b) constructed of half-inchin diameter steel rods.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the removablepin is a cotter pin with a looped portion; the disc is sharpened alongthe periphery and angled at 35 degrees; the second shaft is configuredto fit one of a three-eighths inch chuck and a half-inch chuck on abattery-powered power source; and the shaft is constructed of half-inchin diameter steel rods.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the pointed tipincludes a cavity recessed into the angled surface.
 7. A device for usein combination with a power source for boring a hole in soil comprising;a) a power drill with chuck jaws; and b) an auger attached to the powerdrill further comprising: 1) a first shaft having a first and secondend, wherein: i. the first end includes a hexagonal-shaped portion, iithe second end is opposite the first end and has a tip portion extendingfrom the second end along a portion of the first shaft, and iii. a holeextends through the first shaft near the first end configured to receivea pin; 2) a second shaft having a first and a second end selectivelyconnected to said first shaft wherein: i. the first end ishexagonal-shaped, ii. the second end is opposite the first end andincludes a receiving portion configured to receive the hexagonal-shapedportion of the first shaft, and iii. a plurality of holes on thereceiving portion each hole being selectively aligned with the hole nearthe first end of the first shaft configured to receive a pin; 3) asingle cotter pin configured to be inserted through the holes on thefirst and second shafts to secure the first and second shafts together;and 4) a spiral disc attached near the tip portion of the first shaftcomprising; a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a serrated portion,wherein i. the serrated portion includes a plurality of spikes extendingradially from the shaft at the periphery of the disc, the plurality ofspikes each including at least one angular surface and a tip, and ii.the leading edge is slanted toward the tip of the first shaft and thetrailing edge is slanted toward the hexagonal-shaped portion of thefirst shaft.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the tip portion isselected from one of the group consisting of: a shank portion with apoint offset to one side of the shaft and a flat side extending from thepoint at an angle to the opposite side of the shaft; a shank portiontapered to a point located substantially in the center of the shaft anda helical portion extending along at least a portion of the tip portion;a frusto-conical portion having an aperture extending therein; and ashank portion tapered to a point including a plurality of diggingmembers, each digging member affixed to the shank along a first edge ofthe digging member and each digging member tapered wherein the narrowend of the digging member is disposed toward the point of the shank.